Fountain



Jan. 20, 1970 L. G. ASHBY 3,490,694

FOUNTAIN Filed Dec, 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Lee G. Ashby 2a 29 2? BYATTQRNEY L. Gv ASHBY Jan. 20, 1-970 FOUNTAIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

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Y V E A V/W O Q T in? m A L W Wm W United States Patent 3,490,694FOUNTAIN Leo G. Ashby, 146 N. 9th Ave., Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada FiledDec. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 688,221 Int. Cl. B05b 1/28 U.S. Cl. 239-18 9Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A decorative and audibly-pleasingfountain through which liquid may be continually recycled and which isprovided with at least one deflector plate suitable for conveying theliquid into a centrally-located return pipe at a rate sufficient tomaintain the water content on the deflector plate at a minimum and tomaintain a liquid-tosolid, rather than a splashing sound, in thevicinity of said fountain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Throughout mans history a considerableamount of imagination and engineering effort has been devoted to thedevelopment of various aesthetically-pleasing water-display devices. Forexample, in U.S. Patent 1,939,803 to Vasco Cataldi, ahydraulically-actuated rotary fountain is disclosed. More recent patentsare U.S. Patents 3,071,326 and 3,008,646 to F. C. Benak. These latterpatents disclose fountains which may be operated under conditions ofmulti-chromatic illumination. Still another relatively recent patent inthis art is U.S. Patent 3,022,010 issued to J. W. Barnett and employinga succession of upwardlydischarging sprays which overlap one another. Inall of these aforementioned inventions there is a common denominator:the provision of a visually-pleasing spectacle to viewers of thefountain.

From an engineering standpoint there is a further common denominator.All of the aforesaid patents disclose fountains in which thedownwardly-falling water falls into pools of liquid; thus all of thefountains provide a dominant splashing action of liquid against liquid.Moreover, all of these fountains require sufficient structural strengthto support pools of water at the various levels thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the instant invention toprovide a novel fountain which dispenses with the necessity formaintaining heavy pools of water at various elevated levels thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a fountain which isoperable to provide a pleasing liquid-tosolid, or rain-on-the-roof,sound audible to onlookers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fountain with adecorative circulating feature in a reservoir thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fountain adaptable foruse as a humidifying and/or temperature regulating apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel means foroperating a fountain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multistage recirculatingfountain which may be constructed of relatively weak load bearingmembers.

Other objects of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in theart on reading the instant specification.

3,490,694 Patented Jan. 20, 1970 ice The above objects have beensubstantially achieved with a novel fountain apparatus comprising aplurality of liquid outlets positioned for discharge into deflectorplates which deflector plates serve as liquid-conducting surfaces forcarrying the liquid back into a liquid recirculating system. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid-recirculating systemcomprises a centrally-positioned liquid supply pipe and acentrally-positioned liquid return pipe with the latter pipe havingsufficiently large apertures to allow the passage of liquid falling ontosaid deflector plates into said return pipe at a rate suflicient toavoid any substantial accumulation of liquid in the deflector plates.

The foregoing structure not only meets the objects of the invention asdescribed above, but because of its adaptability to relatively lightconstruction methods, has been found to be highly suitable for suchspecial purposes as humidification of air in a house or a room. Suchutility is enhanced when a hydrophilic substance such as sponge or thelike is coated on one or more of the deflector plates to provide a highsurface area for evaporation of water, or when fins are mounted on theliquid contacting members to provide heat transfer means. Apparatus forsuch special uses advantageously comprises deflector plates of lightmetallic construction, for example copper or aluminum sheet materials.

Specific example of a preferred embodiment of the invention FIGURE 1 isan elevation, partly in section, of a fountain constructed according tothe instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the ring spacer utilized in the apparatus ofthe invention.

FIGURES 3a, 3b, and 3c are schematic diagrams showing the position ofthe water-spouts on the fountain of FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawing, it is seen that fountain 10 comprises a base12, a reservoir 14, a fountain display section 16, and a lightingassembly 18. Base 12 comprises a compartment 20 having assembled thereina motor 22 operably connected for driving pump 23 with drive belt 25.Both motor 22 and belt 25 are bolted to a support sheet 26 and mountedon a vibration dampening means 27 consisting of a neoprene foam pad 28.Base 12 is mounted on legs 29.

'Pump 23 is connected to an inlet conduit 30 and outlet conduit 32.Conduit 30 provides means for withdrawing liquid from reservoir 14;conduit 32 provides means for supplying liquid to centrally locatedliquid supply pipe 34 and conduit 36. A control valve 38 is positionedin conduit 32 forming means to regulate the flow of water to pipe 34. Asecond pressure control valve 40 is positioned in conduit 36. Valve 40is used to regulate the flow of 'water through conduit 36 to a nozzle42, tangentially mounted in reservoir 14 for imparting a controlledamount of rotary circulation of the liquid in reservoir 14. A noveltyobject 43 such as a boat or colored ball floats on the liquid stored inreservoir 14.

Conduits 32 and 36, and electrical conduit 44 all join centrally-locatedsupply pipe 34 at X-fitting 45.

Reservoir 14 comprises an outlet port 46 in the bottom thereof. Port 46is covered by a cap 47 constructed of corrosion-resistant metal and afilter screen 48, thereby providing means to avoid gross contaminationof the liquid stream being circulated through conduit 30 to pump 23.

Liquid supply pipe 34 protrudes above reservoir 14 to terminate at capmember 49. Concentrically mounted outside pipe 34 is liquid return pipe51, segmented into pipes 51a, 51b, and 510. Concentric spacing betweenpipes 51 and 34 is maintained by cylindrically-shaped guide rings 53.See FIGURE 2 for more detail on the construction of the guide ringwherein spaced prongs 54 are seen to achieve the spacing functionwithout interfering unduly with the flow of water downwardly in pipe 51.

Apertures 56 provide means for liquid descending in pipes 51 to enterreservoir 14. Cap member 49 provides screw means for tightening pipes51a, 51b, and 510 against deflector plates 77 when assembling thefountain.

Liquid distribution pipes 58a and 58b join supply outlet pipes 60a and60b, respectively, with supply pipe 34. A plurality of discharge spouts61a and 61b are spaced, along distribution pipes 58a and 58brespectively at 60 angles from each other. Spouts 61a are additionallyset off by about 30 from spouts 61b. Spouts 610 are, however, in angularregister with spouts 61a. Liquid supply to spouts 610 is achieved byinserting them directly into cap member 49.

Upper decorative dish-shaped member 63 performs no water-deflectionfunction in the illustrative fountain. Nevertheless apertures 64 are cutin member 63 to provide means to transmit any liquid condensate drippingfrom spout 610 to return pipe 51. Moreover apertures 64 assure thatatmospheric pressure will be maintained in the higher levels of returnpipe 51.

'Cap member 49 is tapped for receiving a hollow support shaft 66 throughwhich electrical conduit 44 is guided and upon which a lighting means 68is supported. Lighting assembly 68 comprises a decorative cap 69, alight reflector 70 and bulbs 72 mounted in pivotally-moveable sockets73.

In operation, the fountain of the invention functions as follows:

Reservoir 14 is filled with liquid to a suitable height to preventcavitation of pump '23. Thereupon motor 22 is actuated initiating a flowof liquid through inlet conduit 30, outlet conduit 32 and thereupon intoliquid supply pipe 34. If desired, valve 40 is partially open duringthis startup step so that liquid also flows through conduit 36 anddischarges from tangentially-mounted nozzle 42 thereby causing acircular motion to be imparted to the liquid in reservoir 42. Thiscircular motion in turn causes novelty object 42 to be swirled about thecentrally-located piping system 75 as shown by the arrows in thedrawing.

Once flow is initiated in pipe 34, control valve 38 can be set toprovide the desired pressure level. Liquid going up pipe 34 dischargesthrough outlet pipes 60a, 60b, and spouts 61c. Liquid flows from outletpipes 60a and 60b into distribution pipes 58a and 58b, respectively,thence into spouts 61a and 61b respectively. Spouts 61c and 61bdischarge directly onto deflector plates 77b and 77a, respectively. Flowis so regulated that the amount of liquid deflected onto 77b and 77adoes not exceed the flow capacity of apertures 56, and apertures 57 indeflector plates 77, thereby assuring that deflector plates 77 will runwithout any substantial amount of liquid hold-up therein.

Deflector means 77a is illustrated specially to depict two usefulmodifications to the apparatus of the invention. On the right ofcentrally-located piping system 75 is shown a coating 78 of hydrophilicsponge material 79. Typically the material may be cloth fabric, or anabsorbent polymeric material. On absorbing water this sponge coating 78serves as a humidification means during operation of the pump in dryareas.

Another alternate modification is shown for convenience only ondeflector pate 77a at the left of centrallylocated piping system 75.These are fins 80, radially spaced and circumferential in relation tosystem 75. It has been found that where the area in which the fountainis to be displayed requires auxiliary heating and where there is asource of waste heat which may be used to keep the liquid warm inreservoir 14, that fins 80 pick up a considerable amount of heat fromwater flowing down deflector plates 77 and can radiate this heat intothe fountain display area. It is to be noted that heat transfer to fins80 is greatly facilitated by the fact that the warm water on the upperside of deflector plate 77 is running rather than stagnant, thusreducing the heat transfer-resisting boundary layer film on plates 77.Of couse, when such heat transfer uses are contemplated for thefountain, materials of construction such as light aluminum sheet or thelike are preferably chosen.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fountain of the kind wherein liquid is discharged from aplurality of vertically-spaced outlets and ultimately returned to areservoir for recycling by pump through said outlets, the improvementcomprising (a) a centrally-positioned liquid supply pipe for carryingliquid from said reservoir to said outlets, said outlets beingdownwardly directed,

(b) a pump forming .means to deliver said water under pressure throughsaid supply pipe and downwardly through said outlets,

(c) a plurality of dish-shaped deflector plates mounted below saidoutlets, said plates forming means to convey said water inwardly towardsaid centrally-positioned liquid supply pipe,

(d) a centrally-positioned liquid return pipe for carrying said liquidfrom said deflector plates to said reservoir,

(e) and ports communicating between said deflector plates and saidliquid return pipe, and forming means for transmitting said liquid understatic pressure, into said liquid return pipe from said liquid receiving.means, said port means being sized to prevent buildup of water in saiddeflector plates.

2. A fountain as defined in claim 1 wherein said supply pipe and returnpipe are in concentric relation one to another.

3. A fountain as defined in claim 1 wherein a said deflector plate hasfins mounted on the bottom thereof.

4. A fountain as defined in claim 1 wherein a said deflector plate hasfins mounted on the bottom thereof. thereon.

5. In a fountain of the kind wherein liquid is discharged from aplurality of vertically-spaced outlets and ultimately returned to areservoir for recycling by pump through said outlets, the combinationincluding (a) a centrally positioned liquid supply pipe for carryingsaid liquid from said reservoir to said outlets,

(b) a plurality of deflector plates mounted below said outlets formingmeans for conveying said water inwardly toward said centrally-positionedliquid sup- P y P p (0) a centrally positioned liquid return pipe forcarrying said liquid from said liquid receiving means to said reservoir,

(d) port means communicating between said liquidconveying means and saidliquid return pipe, said forming means for transmitting said liquidunder static pressure, into said liquid return pipe from saidliquid-conveying .means,

(e) a liquid by-pass line mounted between the outlet of said pump andsaid reservoir and terminating in a nozzle mounted in tangentialrelation to the liquid surface in said reservoir, thereby forming meanscreating a circular flow pattern on said liquid surface and a decorativefloatable object circulating in said flow pattern.

6. The fountain as defined in claim 5, wherein said outlets aredownwardly-directed, thereby directing streams of liquid directly onsaid deflector plates.

7. A fountain as defined in claim 5 wherein said supply pipe and returnpipe are in concentric relation one to another.

thereon.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Sink 23922 Briesen 23922 Keith23917 Merigold 23920 Brown 23953 Cataldi 23917 Cullison 23923 Benak23920 Barnett 23917 Benak 23923 Oberto 239129 FOREIGN PATENTS GreatBritain. Great Britain.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner

